Super Mario Galaxy: Nintendo star shines brighter than ever
Matthew Tyson
Issue date: 11/22/07 Section: Arts & Entertainment
Super Mario Bros. is the defining video game series. Nintendo's mascot has appeared in many of the greatest games ever released, and has become the symbol associated with gaming. Super Mario Galaxy continues that tradition by redefining the platforming genre-and it's one of the years best games.
Galaxy begins with Mario happily headed to the Mushroom Kingdom to see Princess Peach. The visit becomes short when Bowser appears, and sends the castle and Peach to the center of the universe.
Mario takes to the skies to once again bring peace to the land of mushrooms.
Gameplay kicks off with an introductory level designed to teach you all of Mario's new moves.
The next stop is the observatory, which serves as a hub for all of the game's many levels. You will need a certain number of power stars in order to access the different sections of the observatory. A total of 60 power stars-half of the game's total number-are required to proceed to the final battle.
The concept of gravity plays a major role in Galaxy. Gamers will have a full 360-degree plane to work with as they send Mario from planet to planet. The full three-dimensional environments take some time to get used to, but become second nature once you are a few galaxies deep in the game.
The levels are the best designed of any Mario game to date. Each galaxy has its own unique look, and very rarely do any stars share the same or similar collection objective. There are also side-scrolling two-dimensional sections of levels which give fan-service to the Mario games of old.
Our fearless plumber has several costumes that he can collect which allow you to pass certain obstacles. The bee suit is the most unique as it allows Mario to fly through the air to places he could not otherwise reach. The fire flower also makes its return to the Mario series to cool down the game's ice themed levels.
Galaxy takes the innovative controls of the Nintendo Wii to the next level.
Players use the Wii Remote to collect star bits which can be used to reach new areas of the game. The star bits can also be fired to daze enemies by pressing the B button. The remote is also used to travel to other galaxies. A simple flick of the wrist near a shooting star will send Mario flying to his next destination.
The Nunchuk attachment is used to move Mario around and is also used to perform his trademark butt stomp move. The controls become second nature within minutes of playing, with only some small issues with the remote keeping them from perfection.
There are times that you will be unable to target Star Bits that are located in the corner of the screen. While very minor, this can prove to be quite frustrating at times.
Super Mario Galaxy shines over every Wii game released to date in the graphics category. Incredible animations, sleek planet environments and amazing enemy designs show that Nintendo's newest console does have power under the hood. Each galaxy is brought to life with vibrant visuals that far exceed anything from previous games in the series.
Mario games are known for their amazing musical scores, and Galaxy is no exception. Each galaxy features fully orchestrated music that helps to set the mood. The game even has remixed themes from previous Mario games, including a rather popular one from Super Mario Bros. 3.
Galaxy is also very strong in the sound effects category. Several levels feature strings of musical notes that play famous Mario tunes as you collect them. Its subtle details like this that make Galaxy the biggest blessing to the ears this year.
Verdict: Super Mario Galaxy is the clear shining star in the gaming industry this year. Nintendo has taken one of the greatest games ever made in Super Mario 64 and has somehow managed to make it even better. The level design is unlike anything you will see in today's platformers, and the unique gameplay puts a breath of fresh air into the genre. The graphics and sound are the absolute best you will see on the Nintendo Wii for quite a while. The game does almost everything right and almost nothing wrong. This is the definite Mario experience, and should not be missed by anyone.
A+
Galaxy begins with Mario happily headed to the Mushroom Kingdom to see Princess Peach. The visit becomes short when Bowser appears, and sends the castle and Peach to the center of the universe.
Mario takes to the skies to once again bring peace to the land of mushrooms.
Gameplay kicks off with an introductory level designed to teach you all of Mario's new moves.
The next stop is the observatory, which serves as a hub for all of the game's many levels. You will need a certain number of power stars in order to access the different sections of the observatory. A total of 60 power stars-half of the game's total number-are required to proceed to the final battle.
The concept of gravity plays a major role in Galaxy. Gamers will have a full 360-degree plane to work with as they send Mario from planet to planet. The full three-dimensional environments take some time to get used to, but become second nature once you are a few galaxies deep in the game.
The levels are the best designed of any Mario game to date. Each galaxy has its own unique look, and very rarely do any stars share the same or similar collection objective. There are also side-scrolling two-dimensional sections of levels which give fan-service to the Mario games of old.
Our fearless plumber has several costumes that he can collect which allow you to pass certain obstacles. The bee suit is the most unique as it allows Mario to fly through the air to places he could not otherwise reach. The fire flower also makes its return to the Mario series to cool down the game's ice themed levels.
Galaxy takes the innovative controls of the Nintendo Wii to the next level.
Players use the Wii Remote to collect star bits which can be used to reach new areas of the game. The star bits can also be fired to daze enemies by pressing the B button. The remote is also used to travel to other galaxies. A simple flick of the wrist near a shooting star will send Mario flying to his next destination.
The Nunchuk attachment is used to move Mario around and is also used to perform his trademark butt stomp move. The controls become second nature within minutes of playing, with only some small issues with the remote keeping them from perfection.
There are times that you will be unable to target Star Bits that are located in the corner of the screen. While very minor, this can prove to be quite frustrating at times.
Super Mario Galaxy shines over every Wii game released to date in the graphics category. Incredible animations, sleek planet environments and amazing enemy designs show that Nintendo's newest console does have power under the hood. Each galaxy is brought to life with vibrant visuals that far exceed anything from previous games in the series.
Mario games are known for their amazing musical scores, and Galaxy is no exception. Each galaxy features fully orchestrated music that helps to set the mood. The game even has remixed themes from previous Mario games, including a rather popular one from Super Mario Bros. 3.
Galaxy is also very strong in the sound effects category. Several levels feature strings of musical notes that play famous Mario tunes as you collect them. Its subtle details like this that make Galaxy the biggest blessing to the ears this year.
Verdict: Super Mario Galaxy is the clear shining star in the gaming industry this year. Nintendo has taken one of the greatest games ever made in Super Mario 64 and has somehow managed to make it even better. The level design is unlike anything you will see in today's platformers, and the unique gameplay puts a breath of fresh air into the genre. The graphics and sound are the absolute best you will see on the Nintendo Wii for quite a while. The game does almost everything right and almost nothing wrong. This is the definite Mario experience, and should not be missed by anyone.
A+
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